Visit the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, one of the best road trip stops in New Jersey, for a strange tour into the history of the Earth.

The northwestern corner of New Jersey is often considered the quietest one. You're far away from any major cities, as far as you can get from the Jersey Shore, and surrounded by mountains and sleepy roads everywhere you look. If you're on a road trip through this region, the odds are you might be going a long time without stopping. And that makes it all the more important to look around and discover the true hidden gems located along the roadside.

You'll find one of the best road trip stops in New Jersey in the tiny town of Ogdensburg, population 2,258. That's where you'll discover the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, a surreal trip into the Garden State's limited mining history, complete with a colorful experience that has to be seen to be believed. Once you step inside, you'll feel like you're in a whole other world—and the best part is, it doesn't involve the deep climbs of many mining activities, making this a suitable and unique detour for all ages.

Why This Stop Is Worth the Detour

New Jersey doesn't have an extensive mining history, as there was relatively little coal underground in the Garden State. That prevented extensive deep mining operations, but there were still limited deposits of valuable minerals buried in the area. While originally used to search for copper, Sterling Hill found its fortune as a zinc mine. It operated from 1630 to 1986, and was transformed into a museum in 1990, with its signature tunnels still intact.

Today, the museum is one of the only places to head underground and experience mining history in New Jersey, with walking tours offered on the weekends. Because the mine is relatively shallow compared to coal mines, tours are done entirely on foot. This is a very popular spot for school trips, and there are some big surprises hidden inside.

What To See and Do Here

The most famous feature at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum is the rainbow tunnel, a unique area where the fluorescent zinc is exposed. Thanks to the ultraviolet light broadcast through the tunnel, the colors shine brightly enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Once you're done with the mine tour, make sure to head over to the Zobel Hall Museum, an extensive collection of objects collected from the mine over the last few centuries, as well as a massive mineral display donated by the Oreck family.

The exhibit features a periodic table display, items used by miners during their excavations, and a collection of fossils, but the fluorescent mineral display is the star of the show. You'll get to see over 700 examples of glowing minerals in a dark room that creates a stunning display of color.

Have you ventured into the depths of the Sterling Hill Mining Museum? If not, tell a road trip buddy about this article and make a trip to see one of the best road trip stops in New Jersey for yourself! You can find out all about booking a tour on the Sterling Hill Mining Museum website. While you're in the area, you're only a short drive from Sparta, where you'll find the best dining in the area. You can find casual grub for the whole family at the recently restored Sparta Classic Diner, or indulge in a luxury meal with a stunning view at Andre's Lakeside Dining. And if you'd like a few more ideas on how to spend your time in northwestern New Jersey, let Only in Your State's AI-powered travel planner fill in the gaps with a customized itinerary!